Language deficits in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The electrophysiological and behavioural correlates of language comprehension and production in schizophrenia.

• IRAS ID

  201135

• Contact name

  William S Jones

• Contact email

  will.jones@ncl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Abbreviations:

  patients = service users with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
  controls = non-clinical controls.
  participants = patients & controls.
  EEG = electroencephalography.
  WJ = William Jones.
  HS = Helen Spencer.
  HMW = Dr. Hamish McAllister-Williams.
  AH = Andrew Hanson.
  WH = Professor. Wolfram Hinzen

  Please note that all citations are fully referenced in the 'Experimental Protocol' (Appendix I)

  Background:
  There has been limited research examining language production and comprehension in schizophrenia, despite the fact that language disturbances play a large part in all of the positive symptoms associated with the disorder (Brown & Kuperberg, 2015; Hinzen & Rosselló, 2015). In this study, we shall perform a comprehensive investigation of this neglected area using the EEG imaging technique, in conjunction with some short behavioural tasks.

  Importance and Potential Benefits:
  This research will increase the scientific understanding of schizophrenia, by providing information on the neurophysiological basis of its symptom formation. In future research, this increased understanding could be used to inform the development of therapy for patients e.g. cognitive remediation adapted to have a focus on language and communication, with the prospect of improved day-to-day function in sufferers. Finally, the development of an objective neurophysiological/linguistic profile for schizophrenia could be used to inform early detection methods.

  Research Question:
  Do patients comprehend and produce language differently to controls?

  Design:
  Between & Within subjects analysis, 2 groups (patients and controls). Quantitative data acquired through EEG paradigm and behavioural tasks.

  Participants:
  30 patients and 30 controls.

  Finances:
  Funded by the Mental Health Foundation: £1500

• REC name

  South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/SC/0424

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Aug 2016

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion